Jeanette Draves Vail passed away Sunday, November 26th, 2017, at the age of 93 of natural causes.
She was born December 27, 1923 in La Porte, IN. The daughter of Christoph Draves and Elsie (Bortz) Draves, Jeanette married Ken Vail on October 30, 1948 and enjoyed a marriage of 50 years. Ken and Jeanette had a daughter, two sons, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Known as the “Happy Hour Grandma” by her grandchildren, Jeanette loved her family, close friends, and the Cubs. A great listener with a keen sense of humor, she was especially happy when there were family get-togethers full of laughter, games and conversation. She was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in La Porte. Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters (Florence Swing, Pearl Scherer), one brother (Howard Draves), and one granddaughter (Christine Lanigan). She is survived by her son Christopher Vail (Lucinda), daughter Mary Lanigan (Edward), and son John Vail (Carol), as well as four grandchildren, Karen Jaworski (John), Elizabeth Lanigan, Patrick Vail and Maggie Vail, and two great-grandchildren, Maria and Bridget Jaworski. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces who remained close and important to her throughout her life.
A funeral service will be held at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center in La Porte, IN, on Saturday, December 9th at 11:00 a.m. CST. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, 30400 Telegraph Road, Suite 150, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 or St. John’s Lutheran Church, 111 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com